Stamping and inks

How to use clear stamps step by step

Clear, rubber and cling stamps: how they differ, how to mount them on a block and how to place the image exactly where you want it.

Clear photopolymer stamps are the natural way into stamping because you can see through them and place the image precisely. They are always used with an acrylic block, which they cling to on their own without any glue.

Supplies

A clear stamp set — Stamps
An acrylic block of the right size
Ink (black to begin with)
Smooth cardstock
A spare sheet of paper as a soft mat

Step by step

Build a soft mat

Put two or three sheets of paper under the cardstock you are stamping on. That slight cushioning makes the stamp contact evenly and is the difference between a complete image and one with missing patches.
Mount the stamp on the block

Peel the stamp off its plastic sheet and place it on an acrylic block slightly larger than the image. If the block is much bigger, pressure spreads unevenly and the stamp shifts.
Ink by tapping, not dragging

Do not drag the stamp across the pad: tap it gently until covered. Dragging pushes ink into the recesses and the image comes out smudged around the lines.
Position by looking through the block

This is the whole point of clear stamps: you can see exactly where the image will land. Aim before you lower it and do not move it afterwards.
Press straight down, no rocking

Lower the block vertically and press firmly and evenly for a couple of seconds. Rocking the stamp doubles the outline and blurs fine detail.
Lift straight up

Take the block off in a straight line without sliding. Dragging on the way up marks the paper right next to your fresh image.
Clean before switching colours

Wipe the stamp with a cleaner or a damp wipe and dry it. Leftovers from a dark colour will contaminate the next impression.

Practical tips

New stamps sometimes repel ink because of release agent residue. Rub them gently with a white eraser before the first use.
If a stamp stops clinging to the block, wash it with water and mild soap: the tack comes back.
Always test on a scrap before stamping on the real project.

FAQ

What is the difference between clear, cling and wood-mounted?

Clear is transparent and clings to the block by itself. Cling is rubber with foam or magnetic backing: sharper detail but you cannot see through it. Wood-mounted rubber comes with its own handle.

Why is the image patchy on one side?

Uneven pressure. It usually happens when the block is much larger than the stamp, or when there is no soft mat under the paper.